FLCC> FW: ride notes for Sunday ride for November 25, 2007

[John Dennis]

First, I'd like to extend my belated congratulations to Sandy Fitterer and
Sarah Thompson for their fantastic performance in the JFK 50 mile run.
Bravo!! Please post an account. 

The weather was cooperative today, bright sunlight with wispy cirrus clouds
up at 30,000 feet.  Air temps were in the 38-48 F. range with light winds
gusting up to 10+ mph.  

Today's die-hard roster consisted of Evan Palmer-Young, Gary Hodges, Mike
Richter, Jim Millar, Sam Kolins, and me.  We departed Freeville about 10:30,
heading east on 366. 

I'm always surprised on cold weather rides how little "special clothing" is
needed to feel more or less perfectly warm.  As I consider myself to be "Mr.
Hypothermia", it was only with the greatest resolve that I resisted the
temptation to add a vest into the mix.  I started the ride from my house
wearing a pair of HotFingers ski gloves, but after only about two miles I
removed my head band and swapped on my regular long-fingered cycling gloves,
tucking the HotFingers into my aerobars for the rest of the ride. 

Layering for today--for me at least--did not exceed three layers: neoprene
booties over shoes, light-weight wool cycling socks, two pair of lightweight
cycling tights, cycling shorts, a long-sleeved Pearl Izumi "X-static"
wicking shirt, a short-sleeved FLCC cycling jersey, and a yellow cycling
wind breaker.  I also wore a pair of handknit wool calf warmers, but I
pushed those down to my ankles after those first two miles, pulling them up
again for the last 3-4 miles (what Misty McPhee calls, "spoiling the
Jennifer Beals look.")

Today's windswept, late fall landscape had a sere cinematic aridity or
perhaps I mean clarity. Gone were the corn crops, the squalling red-wing
black birds, and most of the green foliage...in short, fewer distractions
for the serious humorless cyclist. 

We swing west on 34B crossing Rte 38 just to the north of the lighted
intersection and commencing uphill on Old Peruville Rd. This section has an
intimate village feel to it. Proceeding uphill and north on Pleasant Valley
Road, just after Pleasant Valley begins heading due west we pass that
colorful homestead that seems to have something for everyone. Two deer
carcasses are strung up out in the grassless yard suspended from an
overhanging tree limb. I can't help feel that the macho message would have
been greatly enhanced if the hunters had taken the time to hang each carcass
from a separate rope rather than going with a crude one-rope for all
approach. 

This is the same homestead that has four horses sharing their creek-watered
pasture with an impressive four-wheeler race course.  There is a multitude
of vehicles and boats parked about the premises, some in attitudes
suggesting they have not seen recent use.  One gets the sense that the  men
of the household have  first crack at disposable income as it comes in. 

After we cross Scofield Road, Pleasant Valley Road became Buck Road and we
were soon to see one reason why.  Just after the road jogs left and then
back to the right, there is the most wonderful barn poised on the left
verges of the Buck Road (near where Old Buck Road crosses running
North-South.) Up close to an apical soffit aligned with the front door was
written in faded lettering on the much weathered siding, "E.G. Buck, 1896." 

As we approach Van Ostrand Road, we rendez-vous with red-jerseyed Mike
Richter, who has ridden from downtown Ithaca.  Van Ostrand is a well-used
FLCC route and soon we had a view on the right of that exquisite cupola that
sits atop a church that is now an awesome private residence. Crossing Locke
Creek and route 34 in quick succession just south of Bakers' Acres, we
proceed west on Storm Road, turning north at the T intersection, and then
left onto Brooks Hill Road for the descent into the Salmon Creek valley.  On
the right is a soil processing site that doubles as a farm machinery grave
yard. 

Heading south, Salmon Creek has its usual down-stream charm and Southern Jim
describes various rigorous rides he had taken in the mountains of Taiwan
last week. We stop at Ludlowville Falls so that Evan can add it to his list,
noting that the rooster-tail of water that descends the left edge of the
falls was landing in the near 10% of the 3' diameter stone bowl that had
been carved by water erosion over the centuries, long before Thomas Ludlow
made his mark in 1791. 

One bit of good news, the steel-grill bridge at the north end of the
village, upstream of the falls, has been paved over greatly reducing risks
to cyclists.  The steel deck bridge on the south-end of town remains
hazardous. 

Well, at most, four more Sunday rides until the end of the year....where
next? 

Dress warm and ride safe,   John
 


-----Original Message-----
From: flcc-bounces at icycle.org [mailto:flcc-bounces at icycle.org] On Behalf Of
Gary Hodges
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 7:19 PM
To: FLCC List Serve
Subject: FLCC> Sunday ride for November 25, 2007

Roadies,

Sunday looks to be good weather, so I thought the Ridges and Hollows
ride from the FLCC site looks like a good ride for the last Sunday in
November. It starts from Freeville, so I'm guessing we could start
from the Freeville Post Office on Rt. 366 at 10:00 AM or for those who
desire more miles (approx. 10.5 more miles) could start from HSBC at
9:30 AM.

Hope to see you out there.

Gary Hodges


Ridges and Hollows Cue Sheet link:
http://www.flcycling.org/touring/rides/cuesheet/02ridgeshollows.htm

Ridges and hollows Map link:
http://www.flcycling.org/touring/rides/maps/02freeville_ludlowville.pdf

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